Hackers steal and resell 1,000 concert tickets, including Eras Tour

Two individuals have been accused of orchestrating a large-scale ticket fraud scheme, illegally obtaining and reselling nearly 1,000 concert tickets. The accused, Tyrone Rose, 20, and Shamara Simmons, 31, reportedly exploited a vulnerability in an offshore ticket vendor’s platform while working for Sutherland Global Services, a third-party contractor of US-based online ticket marketplace StubHub.

New York prosecutors allege that the duo made approximately $635,000 (nearly ₹5.5 crore) by intercepting and redirecting ticket orders meant for StubHub customers. The majority of the stolen tickets were for Taylor Swift’s highly sought-after Eras Tour, but the fraud extended to other high-profile events, including concerts by Ed Sheeran and Adele, NBA games, and the US Open Tennis Championships.

How the Scheme Worked

According to Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz, Rose and an unidentified accomplice gained unauthorized access to StubHub’s computer system. They allegedly exploited a backdoor in the network, rerouting ticket URLs—originally meant for legitimate buyers—to emails controlled by their co-conspirators, including Simmons and another accomplice who has since passed away.

The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to uncover the full extent of the operation and identify any additional individuals involved.

Legal Consequences

Rose and Simmons were arrested in New York City and are now on trial, facing multiple charges, including second-degree grand larceny, first-degree computer tampering, and conspiracy. If convicted of the most serious charge, they could each face a prison sentence of three to 15 years.